Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

The treatment of anorexia nervosa often proves to be difficult. There are no drugs that work specifically for the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Experimental administration of metreleptin (synthetically produced leptin) to patients with anorexia nervosa has produced positive results. This study tests the effect of metreleptin in comparison with placebo, which could potentially make treatment easier. The aim of the study is to investigate whether treatment with metreleptin can help to reduce the symptoms of anorexia nervosa and improve mood and weight.


Clinical Trial Description

Anorexia nervosa (AN) mainly affects young people, especially young women. AN is one of the most lethal psychiatric disorders. Treatment often proves to be very difficult, and AN course is frequently chronic. Specific pharmacological therapies for AN are lacking. Recent studies have shown that metabolic alterations play a great role in the etiology and pathogenesis of AN. An important metabolic alteration playing a role in the etiology and pathogenesis of AN is the hormone leptin. Patients with AN show hypoleptinemia. The role of hypoleptinemia in the neuroendocrine adaptation to starvation seems to induce emotional, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms of AN. From a theoretical point of view, pharmacotherapy augmenting leptin levels in patients with AN have a great therapeutic potential. Recently, positive effects with experimental administration of subcutaneous metreleptin in few young patients with severe AN have been observed. Importantly, no side effects have been observed. For all these reasons, the present study will investigate - with a double blind design - the therapeutic effect of metreleptin in patients with AN. Metreleptin will be administrated to 50 AN-inpatients: 25 patients will receive verum and 25 will receive placebo during 14 days. Primary objectives of this study are the amelioration of mood and weight. Secondary objectives are the investigation of functional brain connectivity, AN symptoms, as well as hematologic, blood chemistry and neuroendocrinological hormones. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT06305182
Study type Interventional
Source University of Zurich
Contact Gabriella Milos, Prof. Dr. med.
Phone 0041 44 255 52 80
Email Gabriella.Milos@usz.ch
Status Not yet recruiting
Phase Phase 2
Start date April 1, 2024
Completion date February 1, 2026

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Recruiting NCT05531604 - Appetitive Conditioning in Anorexia Nervosa
Enrolling by invitation NCT04174703 - Preparing for Eating Disorders Treatment Through Compassionate Letter-Writing N/A
Active, not recruiting NCT04883554 - Impact of an Olfactory Sensory Therapeutic Group for Adolescent Patients With Restrictive Anorexia Nervosa , Pilot Study N/A
Recruiting NCT04213820 - TMS and Body Image Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa N/A
Completed NCT03414112 - The Impact of Oxytocin on the Neurobiology of Anorexia Nervosa Early Phase 1
Recruiting NCT06144905 - Norwegian Microbiota Study in Anorexia Nervosa
Recruiting NCT05803707 - Home-based Adapted Physical Activity in Anorexia Nervosa: a Feasibility Pilot Study N/A
Recruiting NCT05682417 - Impact of Body Schema Distortion on Remission and Weight Regain in Anorexia Nervosa N/A
Not yet recruiting NCT06380257 - Anorexia Nervosa and Brain in Adolescence
Not yet recruiting NCT04804800 - Virtual Reality Place in the Management of Body Dysmorphia Disorders in Anorexia Nervosa N/A
Not yet recruiting NCT03600610 - Evaluation of CARdiac Abnormalities by Echocardiography and MRI in Malnourished Patients Suffering From Anorexia Nervosa N/A
Completed NCT02745067 - Effectiveness of Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-E) in the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa N/A
Completed NCT02382055 - Changing Habits in Anorexia Nervosa: Novel Treatment Development N/A
Completed NCT03075371 - Homeostatic and Non-homeostatic Processing of Food Cues in Anorexia Nervosa N/A
Terminated NCT02240797 - Kappa Opioid Receptor Imaging in Anorexia N/A
Unknown status NCT01761942 - Fatty Acids Omega -3 Diet Supplementation Efficiency and Safety Evaluation in Anorexia Nervosa Phase 2
Completed NCT03144986 - Insula-coil Deep TMS for Treatment Resistant Anorexia Nervosa N/A
Completed NCT01579682 - Adaptive Family Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa N/A
Completed NCT02551445 - A fMRI Pilot Study of the Effects of Meal-support in Eating Disorders. N/A
Completed NCT00946816 - The Effects of Dietary Intervention on Gastrointestinal Function in Patients With Anorexia Nervosa and Obesity N/A